4 Nights
Although little known to most people, this land is incredibly rich in history. By scanning these hilly landscapes, you’ll be able to distinguish the silhouettes of the "Five Sons of Carcassonne", the ancient fortresses of Puilaurens, Termes, Peyrepertuse, Aguilar and Quéribus. Through them, the Cathars left their mark on Catalan soil. From Albi to the foothills of the Pyrenees, passing through the majestic city of Carcassonne and along the Mediterranean shore, this journey takes on the spirit of an odyssey...
This property is annually closed. Reopening on 5/1/24
Hotel and restaurant on a river. The Queen Mother of England made this charming hotel her base when she visited Albi, the native town of the artist Toulouse-Lautrec. In 2010, Unesco classified this episcopal city, a medieval gem constructed in red brick, a World Heritage site. Just as the royal visitor did, appreciate the gentle way of life, the spacious rooms opening onto the beautiful park, and dinners in the restaurant or terrace, with magnificent views of the river Tarn. With a glass of Gaillac in hand, discover the beauty of post-Impressionist landscapes whilst learning how Albi witnessed the birth of Catharism and, during the Renaissance, supplied pigments to the greatest painters of the age. ... Learn moreless
Nestled in the striking Berbie palace, the Toulouse-Lautrec museum has the largest collection in the world of the eponymous artist’s masterpieces. A native of Albi, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec is associated with the world of Montmartre, from the Moulin de la Galette to the Moulin Rouge. Yet the majority...
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Some claim that the red bricks of the Sainte-Cécile cathedral can be seen from Rome! Built in the thirteenth century to restore Catholic authority in the region, the cathedral remains a mixture of finesse and power. Adorned in the same manner, the entire city dons its red hues above the emerald waters...
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Hotel and restaurant on a golf course. The Domaine d’Auriac is built on the ancient Carsac oppidum, where the story of Carcassonne, a Unesco World Heritage site, begins. For three generations, the Rigaudis Family has reinvented this 19th-century townhouse, built over the cellars of a Carolingian Abbey – ruled over by calm and fine dining in the shade of the 300-year-old surrounding park. The restaurant at the Domaine serves the original recipe for the typical local “Dieu le Fils” cassoulet. In a region where history, mysteries and legends, such as the story of Abbot Saunière’s treasure in Rennes-le-Château, abound, discover Cathare abbeys and castles whose ruins rise from cliff tops and rocky promontories. ... Learn moreless
With its two outer walls and its thirty-eight towers, Carcassonne is the biggest fortress on the continent! Overlooking the wine growing plain and the scrubland of Corbières, the city was beautifully rebuilt in the nineteenth century under the orders of the architect Viollet-le-Duc. His castle built...
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The northernmost of the "Five Sons of Carcassonne" continues to keep watch over the area. Named royal citadels, Termes and Peyrepertuse were established in the thirteenth century as an impressive line of defense against the Kingdom of Aragon. 800 m above the valley, the ruins of the Peyrepertuse castle...
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Hotel and restaurant on the seafront. Surrounded by greenery on a small private island in the lagoon of Saint-Cyprien, this contemporary hotel is a veritable cocoon enveloped by the Mediterranean and the Pyrenees. Bathed in sunshine, the rooms invite you to leave your worries behind with their maritime decor inspired by Riva boats. On the roof, the year-round heated seawater pool offers a panoramic view over the entire lagoon, and the thalassotherapy spa boasts personalised treatments in an exclusive setting. At the gourmet Restaurant L'Almandin, the chef composes a seasonal Mediterranean cuisine of local products, magnified by their subtle pairings. ... Learn moreless
Every morning between 8:00 am and noon the banks of the Saint-Cyprien fishing harbor come alive. Tourists and locals alike never miss a chance to see the ritual of the fish being unloaded right from the boats. Fresh off their vessels, the fishermen take to their stalls to reveal the Mediterranean’s best...
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The pretty village of Collioure is the land of Fauvism and attracted countless artists including famous names such as André Derain and Henri Matisse. There is an indescribable light here that illuminates landmarks like the town’s old lighthouse, which these painters featured in their artwork. A gem this...
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Hotel and restaurant on a river. In an unspoilt valley in French Catalonia, looking out at the snow-topped mount Canigou, you will find the Château de Riell, perched among parasol pines and oleander trees. This hotel is made for hedonists, with its baroque interiors and a restaurant whose highlights are local and respectful of nature. Sports enthusiasts can choose from the huge range of outdoor activities against a backdrop of breathtaking scenery and the open-air pool set on the castle’s ramparts. Discerning gentlemen travellers will be impressed by the ambiance of the Out of Africa bar and the dacha, where you can sit and read or enjoy breakfast. A splendid escape in Romanesque Roussillon. ... Learn moreless
A little further south, these three castles formed the first line of defense against attackers. Quéribus, perhaps the most emblematic castle, sits on a narrow rocky peak. It is in the shade of its towers that the epic crusade against the Albigensians ended. This is also where the the last religious Cathars...
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Canigou is more than a mountain, it is a true symbol for the Catalan people that celebrate it in songs and poems. Culminating at 2,784 m above sea level, its summit is the highest of the eastern Pyrenees. On clear days, it towers over part of the Pyrenees, the Roussillon plain, all the way to the Mediterranean...
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**Offer cannot be combined, valid for an itinerary in at least 2 different Relais & Châteaux establishments, reserved with Relais & Châteaux concierges, discount applicable on certain rates and certain establishments. List available from our concierges.
Total price communicated as an indication, based on a stay of the number of nights recommended on this webpage, taking place in the next 3 months, and based on double occupancy (excluding recommended activities, excluding properties not bookable online).
To give you inspiration, Relais & Châteaux presents the Routes du Bonheur:
Suggestions for travel itineraries that you can fully personalise according to your wishes and the experiences you would like to discover. Our consultants are available to help customise your route and assist you in making reservations at our properties. It is up to you to reserve any recommended activities on-site or nearby that might interest you.
** Offer cannot be combined, valid for an itinerary in at least 2 different Relais & Châteaux establishments, reserved with Relais & Châteaux concierges, discount applicable on certain rates and certain establishments. List available from our concierges.
Call our concierge to tailormade your booking and itinerary*. *Price of a local call
